Backplate & Harness / Backpack System

Abysmal Diving Explorer Stainless Steel backplate and harness recommended. If you must use a quick release buckle it is to be only on on left shoulder. 

With the system also include:
2 sets (4 total) shoulder harness pads
2 waist band pouches
D-Rings -- harness is to have 3 D-rings -- one on each shoulder and one on the left side side of the waist band. Waist band rings can be either standard rings or fixed position Billy Rings (Abyss, Highland, or you can make them.) 

The crotch strap (if used) is to have 2 d-rings, one in the front, one in the back.

To make Billy Rings take two d-rings hold them at a 90 degree angle and weld them together at the straight part. They now form a V and will provide positive attachment when held inplace with a tri-glide on the belt. Another way to make these is with 3 rings two flat end to end with the third verticle. The belt then slides through the center holding in place. (photos to be here soon)

or if you prefer a softpac system

Abyss Rec2tec back pack system with 2 inch waist band.
(use a SS back plate inside this for ballast)

Dive Rite Transpac system with 2 inch waist band.

Buoyancy WINGS

Bouyancy Wings come in many sizes an shapes. We prefer the Hydrodynamic wings over convoluted bungee wings. Standard lift for most persons would be a 55lbs wing. Larger divers and those using larger cylinders would best be served with 80 lbs wings.

Best Wings

Abyss Explorer Hydrodnamic Single Bladder Wing 55 or Wing 80 lbs. lift preferred. 
LP inflator hose should reach chest level when suited up.


Regulators

Primary Class-A regulators (2) one with 5-7' hose and standard low pressure inflator hose (for right hand outlet) the other with low pressure inflator hose and brass SPG. All primary regulators are to be fitted with 300 bar DIN connections. The following choices are best:

Abyss Explorer SuperFlow Adjustable 2nd stage with Balanced Diaphragm 1st Stage

Scuba Pro G250/MK20 Adjustable 2nd stage with Balanced Piston 1st Stage

Stage/Deco regulators (2) prepared for oxygen service fitted with a 6" to 7" HP hose with metal SPG, these are for decompression cylinders. The following choices are best:

Abyss Explorer Superflow Non-adjustable 2nd stage with Balanced Diaphragm 1st Stage

Scuba Pro R190, / MK12 Non-adjustable 2nd stage with Piston 1st stage

Deco regulator hose should be should be 44 inches in length

Bottom Timer (2) (1 if using computer) electronic bottom timer / depth gauge 

Uwatec
Beauchat 
 

Computer (1) (2 recommended) decompression dive computer capable of at least 1 Nitrox mixture with a minimum capability of a 60 foot deco stop, download capability or a good multi gas unit.  

Abyss Explorer Trimix Decompression Computer
Dive Rite Nitek3
Cochran Nemesis IIa or Gemini
VR3 decompression computer

Compass for navigation - wrist mount.

Lighting

Back-up lights (2) 3 C-cell size works well. 

Primary light (cylindrical canister light with "Goodman Handle" preferred. maximum 50 watts with up to 90 minute burn time recommended (no square lights and no butt mount lights) -- The following are best in order of preference.
Light can be mounted on the back plate or on the waist band.

Abyss Blue Lightning 4.5 amp NiMh 10 Watt HID
Abyss Blue Lightning 9amp NiMH 10 Watt HID
Abyss Blue Lightning 5 amp Carbon 10 watt HID
American Underwater Lighting Meteor 4 -- with 35 watt bulb
Dive Rite Wreck Light -- with 35 watt bulb

Back Up Lights
Back-up lights (2) 3 C-cell size works well
Underwater Kinetics
Princeton Tectonics
Pelican Sabre

Reels
You are required to have two reels. One large one and one small one. The large one is for ascent lines, and the small one for minor penetration or back up to primary.

Primary Reel 350' of line, (Abyss 5 inch, Aqua Explorers RA8, OMS, EE, AUL, Dive Rite, Reef Scuba etc.)
Safety Reel 130' to 150' of line, (Abyss 3 inch, Aqua Explorers RA8, OMS, EE, AUL, Dive Rite. Reef Scuba etc.)

Lift Bags / Surface Marker Buoy (2 needed)

Minimum 50 pounds lift

Preferred items

Abyss SMB-6 (six foot SMB with Solas Reflectors)
Abyss SMB-4 (4 foot SMB with Solas Reflectors)

(for shallow dives ) Survival Sausage - inflatable 1 meter size - orange, yellow, lime green

Oxygen Analyzer
Technical divers are required to have an Oxygen Analyzer to check cylinders on a regular basis. After years of analyzing gas both in the field and in the mixing shop we have settled upon one analyzer that is truly the best.

Abyss OxySpy -- ergonomic design - no hoses, auto calibrate

other fine analyzers are:
Dive Rite - VTI, Analox, Miniox, and Maxon.

Cutting Tools
Knife Small Very Sharp (UK Remora or Abyss Spyderco-Rescue)
or
Safety Shears (Abyss Stainless Steel)

Exposure Suits
Dry Suit is required for all trimix dives and all dives where average water temp is 75 or less.
all suits should have low profile arm exhaust and rotating inlet valve.
Preferred Suits are:

Abyss Explorer Bilaminate Suit
DUI CF200 crushed neoprene
DUI TLS350, trilaminate
Abyss Adventure Bilaminate.


For water warmer than 75f a wet suit may be used. We recommend a one piece 5 mm jump suit with back zipper and a hooded vest. A hood may be worn on training dives dependant on temperature and length. Gloves for environment are required too.

Best suits are custom from Liquid Fit http://www.liquidfit.com


Safety Items
Sky Blazer Diver's Flare kit
Whistle or Dive Alert
Small signal mirror
Jon-line 2 (used for decompression) 1 primary 1 back up - 6-9 feet long
Weight belt - metal buckle (4 weight keepers)


Cylinders
Back Tanks
Divers will be required to have two (2) complete sets for each day of training dives. A set consists of double tanks fitted with a dual outlet isolation manifold, of no less than 120 cubic feet of gas. (63, 80, 85, 95, 100, 104, 120, 121) banded with Abyss-Highland heavy duty style bands with mounting posts on 11 inch centers. Isolation manifolds are mandatory. Independent twin tanks will not be used. If you are diving a wet suit only aluminum tanks may be used.

We prefer the Abyss-Faber steel cylinders and the Abyss-Luxfer Aluminum Cylinders.

Decompression (stage) Tanks
Technical students need 3 cylinders.
Two for nitrox, One for Oxygen.

Trimix students need 4 cylinders Two for nitrox 2 for Oxygen.
Cylinders are to be aluminum 40, 50, 63 or 80 cubic foot size. The only steel cylinder that is acceptable for deco is the Abyss-Faber LP 45 and then only if aluminum is absolutley not available. Each is to be cleaned and prepared for oxygen service and have current hydro and cleanliness/VIP in place.

Suit Inflation
Trimix students are to have a cylinder set up for inflating the dry suit. The cylinder can be 6-19 cuft with a regulator and overpresssure relief valve. The cylinder is to be painted BROWN and marked as ARGON - DO NOT BREATHE.

Preferred Inflation Systems

Abyss Explorer Argon-On -- this is the only system that has a fully integrated Regulator/Valve system that is always on.

Compact 1st stage regulator with an Overpressure Relief Valve -- IP set at 100psi


Spare Parts/Tool Kit
Each diver/candidate should have a spare parts/tool kit sufficient for servicing their own gear. This would include any special regulator plugs, o-rings, replacement batteries, mask straps, fin straps, zip ties, etc. Some small tools that fit your equipment is also a good idea. My tool kit is fairly complete and you can see exactly what is in it at this link http://www.nitroxdiver.com/Library/spares.html


Bungee Cord: you will need a minimum of 20 feet of 3/8 inch diameter bunggee. (we use this for lift bags, and equipment loops. Black is preferred or any other color you like.

Snap Clips have a variety of snap clips with you for stage bottle rigging, clipping regulators, etc. No Swing gate clips or butterfly snaps. Use the good ones - Stainless Steel only.

Books & Software
All courses include text for that specific course. We also strongly suggest some other books and software for your reference and use. (not included in course fees)

US Navy Divers Handbook - Best Publishing 800-468-1055
NOAA Diving Manual 4th Edition - 2001 Edition - Best Publishing
Diving Physiology in Plain English - Bookspan, Ph.D., J. - Best Publishing
Abyss Dive Planning Software - AbysmalDiving

Books and Software available at: http://www.abysmal.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv

NAUI Nitrox: A Guide to Diving with Oxygen Enriched Air - any NAUI dealer


Suppliers --- we work with a variety of suppliers who can be of service too you. If your local dive center does not have EXACTLY what you want see our suppliers. If you have questions please ask us FIRST before purchasing. Many dive centers just don't know what we want you to have. See our links page for our preferred providers.

The above equipment list is about as complete as one can get. You will also need to have personal equipment including Mask and Fins, as well as gear bags or bins to store and transport your equipment. Any questions please feel free to email your instructor.
Abysmal Diving